Mukhai is a village located in the Pune district with a rich history. It is situated on the banks of the River Vel and is approximately 46 km away from Pune and 9 km away from Shikrapur. In addition to the famous Mārutī temple, there are several other temples such as Kāḷabhairavanātha temple, Khanḍobā temple, Viṭṭhala temple, and old mansions belonging to Palande and Dhumal Sardārs (chieftains). The locals mention that there is also a bārava located on the bank of the Vel River.

The Mārutī temple

Mārutī temple: This temple (18.744891, 74.098290) is positioned east of Kāḷabhairavanātha temple and boasts impressive architecture. An inscription on the temple facing south states that it was built on May 18, 1767 CE. The temple priest, Śrī. Pandurang Tukaram Pandey, is Gurav by caste.

Stambhamaṇḍapa

Architecture: The Mārutī temple is built on a 2 feet high plinth, with steps to enter the temple. However, due to soil accumulation, some parts are buried underneath, making it difficult to determine the number of steps. The entire temple consists only of garbhagṛha with a 2 meter wide stambhamaṇḍapa around it. There are a total of 20 stambhas here, with 6 stambhas in each direction. The garbhagṛha is 3 x 3 m in size, and at the centre of the back wall, there is a 5 feet high stone image of Mārutī in the Capeṭadāna mudrā on a raised pedestal. On the right-hand side of Mārutī, a Śanī (Saturn) image is typically shown. However, due to the application of red lead on the entire slab, its original form cannot be noticed completely.

There are two niches on the left and right sides of the garbhagṛha. A Gaṇeśa sculpture is on the lalāṭapaṭṭa of the arched entrance to the garbhagṛha. The vitāna of the garbhagṛha tapers upwards, and a bell is hung in this area. The door of the garbhagṛha is made of wood, and due to its design, it appears to be quite old. There is a kīrtīmukha on the threshold that resembles a human face. A total of 16 ardhastambhas, four on each side, and a total of eight niches, two on each side of the garbhagṛha's exterior, can be found. A kūrmaśilpa is present in the maṇḍapa in front of the garbhagṛha.

The Mārutī temple has an onion-shaped simple śikhara. The villagers mention that when the pinnacle of this śikhara was removed, the name of a Marāṭhā chieftain called ‘Baloji Palande’ was seen engraved on it.

Mārutī in the Capeṭadāna mudrā

Inscriptions: There are inscriptions on both sides of the Gaṇeśa sculpture located on the door to the garbhagṛha of the Mārutī temple. These two engravings are actually two parts of the same inscription. The text is written in Marathi language and the Devanāgarī script and it is clear and legible. The first part of the inscription is to the right of the Gaṇeśa image and measures 26 cm in height and 31 cm in width. The second part, on the left side of the Gaṇeśa image, is 23 cm high and 31.5 cm wide. It is probable that this inscription was created to commemorate the construction of the temple.

Part 1:

1. II Śrīnātha Prasana [||]
2. Śrī Mārutī (yāca) devāle
3. Caranī tatpara Rāje Śrī (ba) (sva ?)
4. Jī Pā Palāṇḍe mo va Bālo
5. Jī Pā valada Lakhamojī
6. Pā Palāṇḍe Mo Mouje Mukhaī

Part 2:

1. Sumā (hī ?) sana 1176
2. Sake 1689 Sarvajīta nā
3. ma savatachare māhe vou
4. śākha vade 5 pañcamī
5. Subha (vasyu?)

Interpretation: The Mārutī temple was built by the rulers from the Palande clan, including Baswaji Patil Palande Mokadama and Baloji Palande Patil Valada Lakhamoji Patil Palande from Mouje Mukhai. The construction started in śake 1689, Sarvajīta Saṃvatsara, on Vaiśākha vadya 5 pañcamī and on Śumādī year 1176. The date of completion was Monday, May 18, 1767. The inscription ends with the auspicious svastivacan Śubhavasyu (Śubhaṃ Bhavatu?). This inscription is significant because it mentions the Suhūra year along with the Śaka year and provides information about the Palande family’s involvement in building the temple. The inscription also salutes Śrīnātha, indicating the importance of Kāḷabhairava in Mukhai village.

Inscription

The second part of the inscription

Viṭṭhala Temple: The east-facing temple of Viṭṭhala at Mukhai is situated at a distance of 46 km from Pune. It is constructed on September 23, 1789 CE. It is evident from these inscriptions that the Palande Sardār family played a very important role in the temple construction in this village. It is sligtly ahead of the Kāḷabhairavanātha temple, complete with a small sabhāmaṇḍapa and garbhagṛha, surrounded by a fencing wall. The garbhagṛha, measuring 375 x 375 cm, houses images of Viṭṭhala and Rukmiṇī on a platform adjacent to the back wall, though their original forms are obscured by clothing and ornaments.

Viṭṭhala- Rukmiṇī Temple

Images of Viṭṭhala and Rukmiṇī (a close view)

To the left of these images is a śivaliṅga on a platform with Nandī in front of it, while a human-formed Garuḍa is on the other side.

śivaliṅga, Nandī and Garuḍa.

Ventilators in the north-south directions provide light, and niches are available for pujā material. The vitāna tapers upwards, leading to a simple entrance to the garbhagṛha with a Gaṇeśa sculpture on the lalāṭapaṭṭa and bilvapatras carved above. The sabhāmaṇḍapa, measuring 231 cm by 467 cm, has three arches in the façade and two niches on either side of the entrance. A notable feature of the Viṭṭhala (Pāṇḍuraṅga) temple is the rare Phāṃsanā type śikhara built in bricks, with Āmalaka and kalaśa at the top and a sculpture of Gaṇeśa on the front, plus a monkey sculpture.

śikhara

Inscription: An inscription in the Marathi language written in Devanāgarī script, carved above the door of the Pāṇḍuraṅga temple’s garbhagṛha (18.742768, 74.098945), commemorates the temple's construction with two parts measuring 31 cm tall and 18.5 cm wide.

Part One:

1. Śrī Pāṇḍuraṅga prā
2. Śrī Pāṇḍuraṅga
3. caraṇī tatpa
4. ra rāje Śrī dhar
5. mojī valada
6. Lakhamojī Pā
7. tila Palande
8. Mouje Muṣaī

Part Two:

1. Śrī Gaṇeśa prā
2. Surasana (tī)
3. Rāna sana 1199
4. Śake 1711 Sou
5. myanāma Saṃva
6. chare Māhe Ā
7. svīna śudha 5

According to an inscription, a person named Dharmoji Valada Lakhamoji Patil Palande from Mouje Mukhai began or finished constructing the Pāṇḍuraṅga temple in Śake 1711, Soumya Saṃvatsara, on Aśvina Śuddha 5. This equates to Wednesday, September 23, 1789, in the Gregorian calendar. The inscription reveals that Dharmoji Palande was responsible for building the temple and shows the significance of the Vārakarī sect in society at the time. Although the temple is now known as the Viṭṭhala-Rukmiṇī temple, it was originally referred to as the ‘Pāṇḍuraṅga’ temple.